SBA 2013 Washington State Small Business Award Competition - Open for nominations

Seattle, Washington – The Seattle District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration is soliciting nominations for the 2013 Washington State Small Business Awards Competition.

Each year since 1963, U.S Presidents have called for a nationwide celebration of Small Business Week to acknowledge the significant contributions of small businesses to the national economy and society.

Nomination categories:

Small Business Person of the Year: Having at least three years of business experience, candidates must demonstrate staying power – substantiated history as an established business. Candidates must also show growth in net worth and business expansion (documented with financial statements); increased jobs; increased sales; innovativeness of products or services; response to adversity, and; contributions to community-oriented projects. Individuals who have received the small business person of the year award at the state level within the past five years are not eligible. While SBA assistance is not required, it is preferred.

Entrepreneurial Success: Nominee must own and operate a business initially launched as a small business and subsequently developed into a large business, and must have received SBA assistance to help the business grow. Having at least three years of business experience, candidates must demonstrate staying power – substantiated history as an established business. Candidates must also show growth in net worth and business expansion; increased jobs; increased sales; innovativeness of products or services; response to adversity, and contributions to community-oriented projects.

Small Business Exporter: Candidates must own and operate a small business engaged in exporting for three years (preferred). Significant increase in export sales, profits and job growth, creative overseas marketing strategies, demonstrates encouragement of other small businesses to export, and cooperation in the creation of export trading companies and/or introduction of unique trading relationships, products, or services.

Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Owner will not reach the age of 30 by June 1, 2013. Must demonstrate a history of success with growth in sales and profits. Nominee must also show increased jobs, innovative or creative business methods, and must demonstrate potential for future growth.

Family-owned Small Business: Honors a family-owned and operated business which has been passed on from one generation to another with at least a 15-year track record and a demonstrated history of success with growth in sales and profits, increased employment opportunities for family members, potential for future growth, and volunteer efforts to strengthen family-owned businesses in the community.

Small Business Champion Award Categories: Awarded to those who advocate and promote small business above and beyond the call of their professional duties and responsibilities, supporting the cause of small business. To receive one of these awards, the small business nominee must fit within the category of the award:

Financial Services: Outside regular business duties, nominee assists small businesses through advocacy efforts to increase the availability of accounting or financial services for small businesses. The amount and quality of financial assistance provided small businesses and advocacy of legislative or regulatory changes and improvements in the financial services or accounting industries. Nominee may or may not be small business owners.

Minority Small Business: Nominee who has fulfilled a commitment to support the advancement of small business opportunities for minority business owners. Nominee may or may not be small business owners.

Veteran Small Business: Nominee has fulfilled a commitment to the advancement of small business opportunities for veterans of the U.S. armed forces. Nominee may or may not be veterans.

Women in Business: Nominee supports legislative or regulatory action and other efforts to increase small business opportunities for women. Nominee may or may not be small business owners.

Nomination Deadline: Tuesday, December 4, 2012. For more information contact: sherry.mina@sba.gov or 206-553-7316.